Osteospermum plant named &#39;daosnitten&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Osteospermum  plant named ‘DAOSNITTEN’, characterized by its vigorous growth, with globular upright to spreading shape; well branching (4-6 per plant) habit, with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick leaves (color of leaves RHS 139A (upper side) RHS 138A (underside)); big inflorescence with strong ray florets with unique color combination (RHS N80C with stripes of N80B) at the upper side, and inflorescence that stays open, even in cold and dark weather conditions.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES OF THE CLAIMED PLANT

Osteospermum ecklonis

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DAOSNITTEN’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant, botanically known as Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) T Norl., commonly known as Cape Daisy and and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘DAOSNITTEN’.

The new Osteospermum cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Rune Nielsen, in Stige, Denmark. The objective of the breeding program is to develop a new Osteospermum cultivar with good garden performance, well branching growth, continuous flowering and an attractive inflorescence color.

The new Osteospermum cultivar originated from a cross made in a controlled breeding program by the inventor in 2007, in Stige, Denmark. The female or seed parent is Osteospermum variety designated 2045F (not patented). The male or pollen parent is a creme coloured Osteospermum variety designated 2010A (not patented).

Asexual reproduction of the new Osteospermum cultivar by terminal cuttings was first performed in November, 2008 in Stige, Denmark, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar reproduces true to type.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘DAOSNITTEN’, which in combination distinguish this Osteospermum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Vigorous cultivar, with globular upright to spreading shape;

2. Well branching (4-6 per plant) with stiff and strong lateral stems and thick leaves. Color of leaves RHS 139A (green) (upper side) RHS 138A (green) (Underside);

3. Big inflorescence with strong ray florets with unique color combination (RHS N80C (purple-violet) with stripes of N80B (purple-violet)) at the upper side; and

4. Inflorescence that stays open even in cold and dark weather conditions.

Plants of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSNITTEN’ differ from plants of the parents, 2045F (unpatented) and 2010A (unpatented) in the traits described in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Comparison with Parental Varieties Female Parent Male Parent New Cultivar 2045F 2010A Trait ‘DAOSNITTEN’ (unpatented) (unpatented) Plant Size Height: About 11 cm. About 12 cm. About 11 cm. Diameter: About 17 cm. About 16 cm. About 15 cm. Overall Plant Globular, upright Globular, upright Globular, upright Shape: to spreading, with to spreading, with to spreading, with basal branching. basal branching. basal branching. Stem Length: About 6 cm. About 7 cm. About 5 cm Diameter: About 4 mm About 3 mm. About 5 mm. Strength: Stiff and strong. Medium strong. Stiff and strong. Color: RHS 144A RHS 144A RHS 146D (yellow-green) (yellow-green) (yellow-green). Number of About 30. About 30. About 20. Inflorescence heads per Plant: Flower Size Diameter: About 8.5 cm. About 7 cm. About 8 cm. Mature Petal RHS N80C RHS 73A (red- RHS N81C Color (upper (purple-violet) purple), with (purple-violet) surface): with stripes of stripes of 75B with stripes N80B (purple- (purple). of 76C (purple) violet). N79A (purple) near base.

Of the many commercial cultivars known to the present inventor, the most similar in comparison to the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSNITTEN’ is the Osteospermum cultivar ‘Cape Daisy® Kalanga Lavender’, in the characteristics described in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Comparison with Comparison Varieties Comparison Cultivar New Cultivar ‘Cape Daisy ® Trait ‘DAOSNITTEN’ Kalanga Lavender’ Plant Size Height: About 11 cm. About 9 cm. Diameter: About 17 cm. About 16 cm. Overall Plant Shape: Globular, upright Globular, upright to spreading, with to spreading, with basal branching. basal branching. Branches Length: About 6 cm. About 5 cm. Diameter: About 4 mm. About 4 mm. Strength: Stiff and strong. Medium strength. Color: RHS 144A RHS 145C (yellow-green). (yellow-green). Number of Inflorescence About 30. About 30. heads per Plant: Flower Size Diameter: About 8.5 cm. About 6.5 cm. Mature Petal Color RHS N80C RHS N80B (upper surface): (purple-violet) with (purple-violet). stripes of N80B. Inflorescence head open Fully open. Closed to partly open. during cold and low light conditions:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSNITTEN’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color value cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘DAOSNITTEN’.

FIG. 1 shows a close-up view of the composite flower head from ‘DAOSNITTEN’.

FIG. 2 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘DAOSNITTEN’ in a 11 cm pot, at 12 weeks of age after planting.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical lateral stems with leaves and buds of ‘DAOSNITTEN’.

FIG. 4 shows a close-up view of the different leaf sizes of ‘DAOSNITTEN’.

FIG. 5 shows a comparison between ‘DAOSNI’, ‘CAPE DAISY® Kalanga Lavender’ and ‘DAOSNITTEN’, (Breeders reference: 6415H).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Osteospermum ‘DAOSNITTEN’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe the new Osteospermum ‘DAOSNITTEN’ as grown in a glasshouse, equipped with heat, assimilation light and ebb/flood watering system in Odense, Denmark, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. The plants was grown in 14° C., with a venting temperature on 16° C. Assimilation light was given when natural daylight was below 3000 lux and the day length was extended to 16 hours. The EC levels in the soil, was kept at about 2.5-3.5 and pH around 6.0 during the production. Plant growth was regulated 3 times during the production period, using 3% Cycocel (chlormequat-chloride) as a drench (80-100 ml/pot).

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), Colour Chart 2001 edition, Color values were taken under March daylight conditions at approximately 10:00-14:00 in Stige, Denmark. The age of the ‘DAOSNITTEN’ plants described is 12 weeks from potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Osteospermum ecklonis (DC) Norl. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Osteospermum cultivar designated             2045F (unpatented).         -   Male or pollen parent.—Osteospermum variety designated 2010A             (unpatented). -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Vegetative terminate cuttings.         -   Time and temperature to initiate roots.—About 9 to 13 days             at 19 to 21° C. in tunnels in a greenhouse.         -   Time and temperature to produce a rooted young plant.—About             4 to 5 weeks at 18° (initiation period benefits from 19-21°             C.).         -   Rooting habit.—Vigorous, white to grayed yellow and well             branched. -   Plant description:     -   -   General appearance and form.—Globular, upright, with basal             branching. Inflorescences in composite heads. Freely             branching with lateral flowering branches forming at every             node.         -   Growth rate.—Growing about 1 cm per week during production             period.         -   Plant height.—About 11 cm to 14 cm.         -   Plant width (spread).—About 15 cm to 18 cm.         -   Crop time to produce a mature flowering plant.—It requires             4-5 weeks to produce a young plant in a 35 mm propagation             plug. After potting 12-14 weeks are required to produce             finished flowering plants in 11 cm pots. -   Stem:     -   -   Shape.—Round.         -   Length.—About 5 cm to 7 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm to 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144B. -   Branches:     -   -   Branching habit.—Basal branching with lateral branching.         -   Number of branches per plant.—About 4-6.         -   Length (including flowers).—About 13 cm to 15 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.         -   Strength.—Stiff and strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright to spreading.         -   Texture.—Smooth and glabrous.         -   Color.—Mature: RHS 144A. Immature: RHS 144B.         -   Internode length.—About 1 to 10 mm.         -   Internode color.—RHS 144A. -   Foliage description:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Number of leaves per branch.—About 10 to 14 per branch.         -   Length.—About 6 cm to 8 cm.         -   Width.—About 2 cm to 4 cm.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Obovate to spatulate with 2 to 4             acuminate teeth.         -   Shape at apex.—Obtuse.         -   Shape at base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Dentate (2 lobes on each side of leaf).         -   Texture.—Upper surface: Pubescent with few scattered short,             stiff hairs. More hairs on the edges of leaf. Lower surface:             Pubescent with few scattered short, stiff hairs More hairs             along veins and on the edges of leaf.         -   Color of developing foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 139B. Lower             surface: RHS 138A.         -   Color of mature foliage.—Upper surface: RHS 139A. Lower             surface: RHS 138A.         -   Venation pattern.—Trinerved with veins along nerves.         -   Venation color.—Upper surface: RHS 145A. Lower surface: RHS             144B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Arrangement and shape.—Tubular disc floret and flat,             lanceolate ray florets in composite flower heads, developed             from terminal and axillary shoots. The peduncles lift the             Inflorescences 2-4 cm above the foliage. Inflorescences face             upright to 70° angle from vertical.         -   Natural flowering season.—Osteospermum is a bedding plant,             with a flowering season from early spring to late autumn.             Temperatures below 20° C. will increase flowering,             temperatures above 20° C. will reduce flowering.         -   Time to flower.—65 to 85 days.         -   Inflorescence longevity on the plant.—Inflorescence will             maintain good color and substance for about 5-10 days;             however, the longevity of individual inflorescence is highly             dependent on temperature and light conditions. Inflorescence             persistent.         -   Quantity of inflorescences heads.—Freely flowering; about 30             buds and open inflorescences per plant.         -   Fragrance.—Sweet, fresh and discreet.         -   Bud (Inflorescences head).—Rate of opening (from showing             color to fully open flower: 1 to 5 days. The rate of opening             is highly dependent on temperature and light conditions.             Length: About 12 mm. Diameter: About 10 mm. Shape:             Acuminate. Texture: Pubescent with small hairs. Color: RHS             144A at base to 144B at apex.         -   Peduncle.—From both terminate and axillary shoots. Length:             About 6 cm. Diameter: About 2 mm. Angle: About 0-30° from             vertical. Strength: Stiff and strong. Texture: Pubescent             with small white hairs. Color: RHS 138A.         -   Inflorescence head.—Length: About 10 mm. Diameter: About 8.5             cm.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 19-23. Length:             40 mm. Widths: 10-12 mm. Overall shape: Spatulate. Shape at             apex: Obtuse. Shape at base: Acute. Margin: Entire. Texture:             Upper surface: smooth, matt, slightly furrowed. Lower             surface: smooth, matt slightly furrowed. Color upper side:             RHS N80C with stripes of N80B. Color underside: RHS 92D with             stripes of 92A.         -   Disc florets.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 65-75.             Length: 8 mm. Diameter: 1 mm. Color RHS 96A white at base.         -   Phyllary.—Quantity per Inflorescence head: 15- 20. Length:             8-10 mm. Width: 1-3 mm. Overall shape: Lanceolate. Apix:             Narrow Acuminate. Base: Fused. Margin: Entire. Color: RHS             144A. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Androecium.—Location: Disc florets only. Stamen number: 5             fused. Stamen length: About 2 mm. Anther shape: Linear,             fused. Anther length: About 2 mm. Pollen amount: Medium             amount. Pollen color: RHS N25C.         -   Gynoecium.—Location: Ray and disc florets. Quantity: 1             Pistil length: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Brush-like, cleft 2             mm deep. Stigma length: About 2 mm. Stigma color: RHS 103A.             Style length: About 2 mm. Style color: RHS 103C. Ovary             color: RHS 144D. -   Seed/fruit: Seed and fruit production has not been observed. -   Disease/pest resistance: Resistance to pathogens and pests common to     Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Disease/pest susceptibility: Susceptibility to pathogens and pests     common to Osteospermum has not been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Osteospermum have exhibited     good tolerance rain, wind and drought; however, flowering may cease     during hot periods (temperatures above 25° C.). Low temperature     tolerance to 1° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Osteospermum plant named ‘DAOSNITTEN’, as illustrated and described herein. 